YORK City Knights star Mick Ramsden has pledged there will be no let-up by the Knights as they look to hit the league campaign running.

York entertain fellow National League Division Two side Sheffield at Huntington Stadium tomorrow (kick off 3pm) aiming to complete an Arriva Trains Cup double over the Eagles.

And although there is now no chance of the Knights progressing to the knock-out stages of the competition, Ramsden says there is still a lot to play for.

"We've got to bounce back from last week's defeat at Hull KR," the 31-year-old told the Evening Press.

"There is going to be no letting-up by us. We've got every chance of winning the last three games in the Arriva Cup and we want to go into the league campaign on a high."

York stalwart Ramsden, a favourite with the fans, added: "We've also got to keep pushing because one of the aims has got to be the keep the supporters coming to watch.

"Since the bumper attendance in the opening day match against Hull KR, the crowds have gone down slightly and we need to keep the big crowds coming, so we want to put on a good show.

"Playing in front of a more vocal home crowd than we've had in recent years has been brilliant. It's like having an extra man and lifts the whole team. We're really pleased with the support we've been getting and we want to keep it and increase it."

Ramsden hailed the arrival of half-back duo Adam Thaler, from Castleford Tigers and Scott Rhodes, the York-born former Sheffield star, who has joined from Dewsbury, as well as prop Andy Burland, who has come on loan from Doncaster.

"It's good for the club that we've got these players in," said Ramsden. "We know a lot about Scott Rhodes - he's always wanted to play for York, his home-town team.

"We don't know that much about Adam Thaler but he looks quality, and Andy Burland looks big and strong and will be a big asset to us.

"They need to learn the plays and get used to our set moves but they've come on alright in training."

He added: "There's every chance of us completing our first double of the season tomorrow.

"We've seen what we did against them when we played at their place, playing good effective stuff, and if we do that again the tries will come."

Updated: 11:51 Saturday, March 29, 2003